HOUSTON, Aug 02, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- CenterPoint Energy has received the results of independent tests that verify the accuracy of its smart electric meters. Earlier this year, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) requested the tests be performed on all smart meters being installed by utilities across Texas after consumers in some parts of the state expressed concerns about the accuracy of digital smart meters compared to traditional electromechanical meters.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20020930/CNPLOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/CNPLOGO)

The tests, conducted by Navigant Consulting LLC, confirm the accuracy of CenterPoint Energy's smart meters, manufactured by Itron, Inc., as well as the effectiveness of the utility's meter data management and data transfer process and controls. All of the thousands of CenterPoint Energy smart meters tested were found to be accurate by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.

"CenterPoint Energy takes the accuracy of all our meters seriously," said Kenny Mercado, senior vice president of Smart Grid Deployment, "so we are extremely pleased with these results. Consumers in Houston can rest assured that their electric consumption is being accurately measured and transmitted to retail electric providers."

These test results come as CenterPoint Energy celebrated the installation of their 500,000th smart meter, a big milestone in its plan to deploy more than 2 million smart meters across the company's entire electric service territory in greater Houston by mid 2012. Additionally, the company is building a self-healing Intelligent Grid that will utilize smart meters and other technologies to improve electric reliability and power restoration.

Smart meters use a two-way communication system that enables consumers to track their electricity consumption down to 15-minute intervals. Consumers with smart meters can view their detailed electric usage history at www.smartmetertexas.com without having to wait for their bill, which can encourage them to conserve energy. These consumers can also benefit from remote meter reading, remote electric service connection and disconnection, and automatic outage notifications.

Visit www.CenterPointEnergy.com/EnergyInSight to view the full Navigant report and to get all the latest information on the company's current smart meter program.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total nearly $20 billion. With about 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 135 years. For more information, visit the Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

    For more information contact:
    Media:
    Floyd LeBlanc
    713.207.7125

    Investors:
    Marianne Paulsen
    713.207.6565

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

Copyright (C) 2010 PR Newswire. All rights reserved